AWS Certified Developer - Associate Level

Exam Blueprint

Introduction
The AWS Certified Developer Associate Level exam is intended for individuals who perform a Developer role.
This exam validates an examinees ability to:
Design, develop and deploy cloud based solutions using AWS
Understand the core AWS services, uses, and basic architecture best practices
Develop and maintain applications written for Amazon Simple Storage Services (S3), Amazon
DynamoDB, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS), Amazon
Simple Workflow Service (SWS), AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and AWS CloudFormation
The knowledge and skills required at this level should include all of the following areas and objective components
below.
AWS Knowledge
Professional experience using AWS technology
Hands-on experience programming with AWS APIs
Understanding of AWS Security best practices
Understanding of automation and AWS deployment tools
Understanding storage options and their underlying consistency models
Excellent understanding of at least one AWS SDK
General IT Knowledge
Understanding of stateless and loosely coupled distributed applications
Familiarity developing with RESTful API interfaces
Basic understanding of relational and non-relational databases
Familiarity with messaging & queuing services
These training courses or other equivalent methodologies will assist in exam preparation:
Developing on AWS (aws.amazon.com/training/developing)
In-depth knowledge or training in at least one high-level programming language
AWS Cloud Computing Whitepapers (aws.amazon.com/whitepapers)
AWS Documentation (aws.amazon.com/documentation)
Note: This examination blueprint includes weighting, test objectives, and example content. Example topics and
concepts are included to clarify the test objectives. They should not be construed as a comprehensive listing of
all of the content of this examination.
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented.
Domain
% of Examination
1.0 AWS Fundamentals
10%
2.0 Designing and Developing
40%
3.0 Deployment and Security
30%
4.0 Debugging
20%
TOTAL
100%

Response Limits
The examinee selects from four (4) or more response options the option(s) that best completes the statement or
answers the question. Distracters or wrong answers are response options that examinees with incomplete
knowledge or skill would likely choose, but are generally plausible responses fitting into the content area defined
by the test objective.
Test item formats used in this examination are:

AWS Certified Developer - Associate Level

Exam Blueprint

Multiple-choice: examinee selects one option that best answers the question or completes a statement.
The option can be embedded in a graphic where the examinee points and clicks on their selection
choice to complete the test item.
Multiple-response: examinee selects more than one option that best answers the question or completes
a statement.
Sample Directions: Read the statement or question and from the response options, select only the
option(s) that represent the most correct or best answer(s) given the information.

Content Limits
1
1.1

Domain 1.0: AWS Fundamentals

Identify and recognize cloud architecture considerations, such as fundamental components and effective
designs.
Content may include the following:
How to design cloud services
Database concepts
Planning and design
Familiarity with architectural trade-off decisions (high availability vs. cost, Amazon Relational
Database Service (RDS) vs. installing your own database on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2))
Amazon S3, Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWS), and Messaging
DynamoDB, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, AWS CloudFormation
Elasticity and scalability

2
2.1

Domain 2.0: Designing and Developing

Identify the appropriate techniques to code a cloud solution.
Content may include the following:
Configure an Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
Programming with AWS APIs

3
3.1

Domain 3.0: Deployment and Security

Recognize and implement secure procedures for optimum cloud deployment and maintenance.
Content may include the following:
Cloud Security Best Practices

3.2

Demonstrate ability to implement the right architecture for development, testing, and staging
environments.
Content may include the following:
Shared Security Responsibility Model
AWS Platform Compliance
AWS security attributes (customer workloads down to physical layer)
Security Services
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
CIA and AAA models, ingress vs. egress filtering, and which AWS services and features fit

Domain 4.0: Debugging

Content may include the following:
General troubleshooting information and questions
Best Practices in debugging